Traction splint

ABSTRACT

A traction splint including a form fitted body portion adapted to surround the calf of a leg, and to which is fastened a strap to apply a pulling force and a foot portion adapted to support the foot. An elastic strap provides an exercise means by which the problem of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;foot drop&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; may be avoided.

United States Patent 1191 Eshuis et a].

[ TRACTION SPLINT [76] Inventors: Adolph Eshuis, RR. 2; Andrew M.

Jansma, both of Rock Valley, Iowa [22 Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 300,329

52 11.5. (:1. 128/85, 128/80E [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/04 [58] Field ofSearch 128/85, 84, 83, 87, 80,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,854,000 9/1958 Anderson128/84 R 2,750,939 6/1956 Bolgern 128/84 C 3,605,122

9/1971 Myers 128/165 X 5] Apr. 16 1974 2,696,208 12/1954 Falls...

2,817,333 12/1957 Cole 128/84 R 2,969,790 1/1961 ReddigJ. 128/84 RFOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 523,538 8/1921 France 128/80 731,1338/1932 France 128/80 Primary Examine rRichard A. Gaudet AssistantExaminer-J. Yasko [5 7] ABSTRACT A traction splint including a formfitted body portion adapted to surround the calf of a leg, and to whichis fastened a strap to apply a pulling force and a foot portion adaptedto support the foot. An elastic strap provides an exercise means bywhich the problem of foot drop" may be avoided.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TRACTION SPLINT BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION This invention pertains to traction splints of the typeused on hospital patients where traction applied to the leg isindicated. The device is also adapted to be used in nursing homes or forhome use if desired.

There are many times when patients in hospitals or nursing homes are tobe treated by applying traction to the leg or legs of the patient. Inthese cases, some means of grasping the leg is necessary so that thepulling force'can be applied.

Present traction devices are made almost exclusively from non-wovenmaterials and are generally of a trapezoidal form when opened. Thistrapezoidal form is wrapped around the leg of the patient and is snuglyfas tened above the ankle. A strap may be used to connect weights to thedevice. I

Applying pulling tension to the leg at the ankle in a relativelyconcentrated area has the effect of cutting off circulation in thatregion leading to a tissue necrosis. Additionally, there is no supportfor the foot which leads to a relaxation and weakening of the musclescontrolling the foot and causing the problem known as foot drop."

By our invention we provide a device which applies the force over abroad area of the calf muscle in the patients leg. As-a result,circulation is not normally cut off and there is no necrosis problem. Inaddition, we provide a means for supporting the foot of the patient.This latter means also allows for exercising the foot muscles so thatthere is no atrophy and no loss of function.

FIGURES DESCRIPTION Briefly our device comprises a form fitting legengaging part adapted to be. wrapped about a patients leg and a footholding part attached to the form fitting part to allow normal ankleaction and an elastic member engaged between the two parts toresiliently resist movement so that the foot controlling muscles willhave a force to exercise against.

' More specifically and referring to the'drawin'gs, our device is madefrom-a heavy woven fabric form lined with a foam material. Two flatpieces are stitched together along a seam line 10 to provide a formadapted to fit the calf of a patients leg. When stretched out, thedevice assumes a plan-form somewhat like that shown in FIG. 1. However,the FIGURE .does not totally represent the concavity necessary toembrace the muscle. It is apparent that the device cannot lie totallyflat in this position.

The body 11 is enlarged in the central part as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 tofit the calf muscle. Because of that feature, we have found that it maybe necessary to pro- 2 vide two or three sizes, but the use of a wrappedaround portion 12 and pressure sensitive fastening tapes 13 allowsconsiderable flexibility so far as size is concerned.

The pressure sensitive fasteners on these tapes 13 are of a type wellknown in the art. The pads 14 .to which weights through the strap 20 tothe body 11 of our de- .vice. From there it is uniformly distributed aspressure on the calf muscle. Specifically to be avoided is anytightening at the upper end of the form just below the knee. The desiredsituation is a more uniform distribution of pressure and an avoidance ofconcentrated I tightness which would cut circulation in the leg.

A foot supporting portion 15 is connected to the .body 11 by means of anarrower or neck portion 16 all formed integrally in the two flat pieceswhich are.

stitched together. The front support portion also has wing portions 17adapted to be wrapped around the foot and fastened with apressuresensitive fastener on a tape 18.'As illustrated, the foot portion isformed to lie flat when not in use. In use, however, the. neck part 16follows the contour of the patientshe'el (FIG. 3

and provides a sort of hinge arrangement so that the patients ankle isfree to operate.

In order to provide a force against which to exercise 7 thefoot-controlling muscles, we use an elastic strap 21 which is stitchedtoone wing 17 of the foot part 15. The other end is adapted-to be heldpreferably by a buckle device 22 fastened to one of the straps 13. Abuckle'is preferable because then the length and tension in the elasticstrap 21 can be varied.

Support of the foot in the normal position is desirable to preserve somenormal tension in the muscles where traction is to be continued for sometime. In addition, use of the elastic strap 21 provides a pressureagainst which the foot can be moved to provide a moving exercise whichwill preserve the muscle tone so that the patient will be able to walkwith much more nearly a normal muscle reaction than is often the casewith present devices.

In use, the patients leg is encased by wrapping the I portions 12 aroundthe sides of the leg and over the shin. The straps 13 are then pulled upsnug (not tight) and are fastened by pressing the pressure sensitivefastener parts together. The foot part is then wrapped around thepatients foot after running the neck part 16 over the heel. Again thefastening is closed. The strap 21 is then pullediup with a small amountof tension and fastened in the buckle 22. Proper traction force canthen'be applied to the strap 20 to provide the necessary tension. Whilethe device is being used, the patient can exercise his foot against theelastic strap 21 on a more or less regular basis as required. I I

We claim:

1. Traction means for applying traction force to a patients legcomprising body means formed to fit the calf of the patients leg andincluding fastening means on said body means for securing said bodymeans on the patients leg, foot supporting means-formed integrally withsaid body means and including fastening means on said foot supportingmeans for securing said foot supporting means on the patients foot,elastic means engaged between said foot supporting means and said bodymeans adapted to hold said foot supporting means in a normalrelationship to said body means but allowsaid .body means ,and extendingbeyond said foot supporting means whereby tension canbe applied to said3, Thedevice of claim 1 inwhich said elastic means in g movementagainstthe resistance thereof whereby the foot can be exercised andstrap meansfastened to S 4 is adjustably fastened to said body part.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said body means is held onto thepatients leg by being wrapped around the leg and pressure sensitivemeanson said body adapted to h oldsaid bjody'part in its wrappedposition.

' 5 The device of claim 1 in which .saidfoo t portion formed tolieflatand is adapted to be wrappedaround the patients foot and pressuresensitive meansoni said ,foot portion to hold said foot portion in itswrapped around position.

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1. Traction means for applying traction force to a patient''s legcomprising body means formed to fit the calf of the patient''s leg andincluding fastening means on said body means for securing said bodymeans on the patient''s leg, foot supporting means formed integrallywith said body means and including fastening means on said footsupporting means for securing said foot supporting means on thepatient''s foot, elastic means engaged between said foot supportingmeans and said body means adapted to hold said foot supporting means ina normal relationship to said body means but allowing movement againstthe resistance thereof whereby the foot can be exercised and strap meansfastened to said body means and extending beyond said foot supportingmeans whereby tension can be applied to said body means.
 2. The deviceof claim 8 in which a neck portion forming a substantial open space isprovided between said body portion and said foot portion.
 3. The deviceof claim 1 in which said elastic means is adjustably fastened to saidbody part.
 4. The deviCe of claim 1 in which said body means is heldonto the patient''s leg by being wrapped around the leg and pressuresensitive means on said body adapted to hold said body part in itswrapped position.
 5. The device of claim 1 in which said foot portion isformed to lie flat and is adapted to be wrapped around the patient''sfoot and pressure sensitive means on said foot portion to hold said footportion in its wrapped around position.